Hobomock Elementary School
January 22, 2021
Students in Dr. Penella’s class learning rhythm through dribbling eighth, quarter, and half notes to music.

A Message from Principal Murphy
I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude to families, students, and staff for persevering through what has been a tumultuous year, to say the least. It has been amazing to see the students and staff working together to make learning fun through creative means. I also wanted to express my thanks to all of the families that have been transparent with their specific family situations over the past several months. I continue to encourage families to reach out to nurse DePaul with any questions related to student or family health. If I can be of assistance to you in any way, please do not hesitate to call or email me.
Upcoming Dates:
Upcoming Dates:
Monday 1/25- Remote learning day. Classes begin at 12:00 PM.
Student Virtual Attendance
A reminder for families: We have noticed a slight dip in student online attendance lately and wanted to make sure that families are aware that virtual school days count toward student attendance. On most days, online lessons include new and extension lessons of what is being taught during the week. If families are experiencing wi-fi connectivity issues at home or a school-issued device is not working properly, please reach out and leave a message for me in the main office.
Thank you!
Mr. Murphy
Requesting to Change Cohorts
As promised, we are soliciting feedback from families considering a change in their learning model choice. Below is a link to a Google Form for any family K-12 requesting a shift from Cohort D to Cohort A/B or vice versa. Some families have reached out directly to schools, but we ask that you formally request a change on this form. If you are pleased with your current learning option, no action is necessary.
Our goal is to accommodate requests as quickly as possible, but there are quite a few variables associated with student movement from cohort to cohort: space, transportation, etc. In recognition of that, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) allows districts 4-6 weeks to accommodate requests. Though I do not foresee needing 4-6 weeks, I want families to know that these changes may take some time.
Kindergarten Child Find
We will soon begin kindergarten registration for the 2021-2022 school year. We rely upon your assistance in gathering the list of children who will be entering our school for the first time.
To be eligible for Kindergarten, a child must be five years of age by September 1, 2021. If you have a child who will be coming to Kindergarten next fall, we ask that you complete and return this form as soon as possible.
If you know a neighbor with a child who will be registering for Kindergarten next fall, please share this form or ask your neighbor to contact their elementary school.
We will use this contact information to send additional information about the Kindergarten Registration process.
PPS Covid-19 Dashboard
To streamline COVID communication and provide the most accurate information possible, our focus going forward will be on updating and maintaining our PPS Covid-19 Dashboard. The updated dashboard will take the place of community notification letters for individual cases. Our Covid-19 Dashboard will be updated each day and is the best source of current information as we continue to review each reported case in our community.
We evaluate COVID data daily and collaborate with our state and local health agencies as needed. Our objective is to keep students in school while minimizing the impact of COVID-19 on our students, staff, and community.
Holiday Travel Plans
Holiday Travel Plans
If you are planning on traveling during the week or weekends for the foreseeable future, please make sure that you follow the Governor’s travel order.
Required documentation after a student travels outside of Massachusetts:
If you travel outside of Massachusetts to any state that is not considered a lower risk state, your child must either :
Quarantine for a full 10 days after returning OR
Receive a negative COVID-19 PCR (molecular) test and submit the results to the school nurse before returning. (A quick antigen test is not acceptable for returning). For students under the age of ten years old, proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR (molecular) test from any parent(s) that the student traveled with can be used to admit a child back to school in place of a student Covid 19 test as long as the child is fever and symptom-free.
Please visit the Mass.gov website for additional information including special travel scenarios. Please send all testing documentation to your school nurse before returning to school. A list of testing locations can be found on the Mass.gov testing website.
We appreciate your cooperation as our focus continues to be on maintaining a safe learning environment in our schools for students and staff.
Free Meals
A reminder to all families that the free meals program has been extended! Please use the google forms linked below to place orders for our Meals to Go Program. These meals are available for pick-up for students who are learning remotely. Free meals are also provided to students while in school during in-person learning days.
Reminders!
Absence Phone Line/Email System
In the event that your son or daughter will need to be absent from school, you may call 781-294-2003 and leave a detailed message with your child’s name, the reason for the absence as well as any symptoms that your child is displaying.
Email System
You may also elect to use our dedicated email system if your child will be out of school by emailing HobomockAbsence@Pembrokek12.orgSpecialists & Social Emotional Resources
Monday Specialists
Hobomock Art, Music, and PE have been offering Monday morning Google Meets separately for the past few weeks. On Mondays, the specialists combine and have students join with the code: HOBSPECIALISTS from 8:15-11:00 (See the schedule below).
This is open to hybrid and fully remote students. We will do a fun activity, answer questions, and go over the lessons for the week.
MONDAY SCHEDULE:
8am: Grade 1
8:30am: Grade 2
9am: Grade 3
9:30am: Grade 4
10am: Grade 5
10:30am: Grade 6
Mindful Mondays
All students, regardless of cohorts are encouraged to touch base with Mr. Lisi (Hobomock psychologist) and Mrs. Theriault (Hobomock social worker) from 10:30-11:00 AM. The staff will be talking about how it is normal to feel a bit anxious during the start of school, especially with all of the new procedures that are in place to support student health. Students can log on using the Google Meet information below.
Meeting ID
Phone Numbers
(US)+1 541-797-0331
PIN: 200 788 351#
THE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL IMPACT OF THE COVID PANDEMIC. RESOURCES AND STRATEGIES FOR FAMILIES
Pembroke Public Library Update
Pembroke Public Library January Youth Activities
In the interest of helping control the spread of COVID-19, the Pembroke Public Library building will be closing at 6 PM on Monday, December 14th. The library will be returning to Curbside Services only beginning at 10 AM on Tuesday, December 15th. The book drops will remain open 24/7 for the return of all materials.
Curbside Pickup Hours:
Monday - Thursday from 10 AM - 7 PM
Friday from 10 AM - 4 PM
Saturday from 10 AM - 1 PM
Phone Service:
Monday - Thursday from 9 AM - 8 PM
Friday from 9 AM - 5 PM
Saturday from 9 AM- 2 PM
You can also fill out our online reading suggestion form (located on our website) to have staff select books for Curbside Pickup.
Our online collections of eBooks, audiobooks, and movies are always available to borrow with your Pembroke Public Library card through Libby/OverDrive and hoopla. If you need help setting up your account or getting a library card, call us at 781-293-6771.
Book Blizzard 2021
Now through March 20th
We're welcoming 2021 with the Book Blizzard, a program to inspire our community to keep their reading resolutions and cozy up with a good book (and maybe a mug of cocoa). All ages can participate to earn entries for prizes. To start, you just need to sign in or register with your Beanstack* account using this link ( https://pembrokepubliclibrary.beanstack.org/). Happy reading!
*Beanstack is our library's year-round book tracker available to all patrons.

Raising a Reader (Virtual)
Fridays at 2:00 pm on January 8th, January 15th, January 22th, January 29th, February 5th, and February 12th.
Big Ryan’s Tall Tales welcomes all parents and their children (3-5 years) to come to this 6-week series on making stories where language comes alive. Laugh, read, and interact in this LIVE event! Please complete an online registration form at pembrokepubliclibrary.org. By completing the registration you are signed up for all six weeks of the series. Links for the series sessions will be sent out the day before the first workshop or upon your registration. This program is generously provided by the South Shore Family Network, a program of the South Shore Community Action Council.

Take & Make: Book Hedgehog Craft
Available through January or while supplies last
Take & Make Book Hedgehog Craft Kids and teens (ages 8 - 18) are invited to sign up for this Take-and-Make Craft to create a book hedgehog. These little forest dwellers are the perfect pet as all they need is a loving home.
Materials Provided: 1 paperback book, 1 pom pom, 2 wiggle eyes, 1 piece of felt, 1 set of instructions
Materials Needed: craft glue or hot glue gun, scissors, some patience to fold
Please complete an online registration form at pembrokepubliclibrary.org; the library will contact you when your Kit is ready to help you make a Curbside appointment.

Storytime To Go Kit
Available through January or while supplies last
Storytime To Go aims to bring the experience of Storytime to you and your child by offering opportunities for developing early literacy skills. These Kits were created for ages 2 - 5 and include activities that support five skills that build a strong foundation for a reader: reading, talking, singing, writing and playing together every day. January's Kit is built with the theme of FOREST FRIENDS. You and your child can roll out playdough berries for a friendly raccoon, create ant finger puppets, craft a paper owl, and more with the items included. These kits are available for Curbside Pickup. Please complete an online registration form at pembrokepubliclibrary.org ; the library will contact you when your Kit is ready to help you make a Curbside appointment.
